Aquatic Biology Degree in Palmdale, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Palmdale, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$57K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$83K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Palmdale
Cost of Living
110.5
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Palmdale, CA Overview
Palmdale, California (pop. 169,450) has 7 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 110.5 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,185/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Palmdale is approximately $57,460.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,535/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,974/yr
Unemployment
5%
Graduation Rate
66%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Palmdale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Palmdale's cost of living index of 110.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Palmdale adjustment factor: 1.10x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Palmdale
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Palmdale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Palmdale avg aid: $15,974/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$112,140
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,785
vs HS diploma in Palmdale
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Palmdale
$108,860
Lifetime earnings premium ($221,000) minus total education cost ($112,140)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Palmdale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Palmdale for Aquatic Biology
Palmdale State University
public
$15,273/yr
$61,092 total
University of Palmdale
public
$13,606/yr
$54,424 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Palmdale Community College
$5,290/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Palmdale
Palmdale offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Palmdale Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$73K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$73K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$67K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$59K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$61K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$58K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$60K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$69K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Science Majors in Palmdale
Aquatic Biology Degree in Palmdale — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Aquatic Biology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Palmdale.